Printing-machine.



No. 813,702. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906.

B. B. HUUGH. l PRINTING MA E. APPLIUATION FILED .1904 Y 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 813,702. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906. B. B. HOUGH. PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1320.9, 1904 v s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PATENTBD FEB. 27, 1906. B. B. HOUGH. PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Dnc 9 1904 sw mw witwassen PATENTED PEB. 27, 1906. B. B. HoUGH.

PRINTING MACHINE. ArPLIcATloN FILED DEC. 9, 1904l v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 813,702. PATENTBD FEB. 27, 1906. B B HOUGH PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Imc. s, 1904 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

BENJAMIN B. HOUGH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR PRINTING-MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

Application filed December 9. 1904. Serial No. 236.131.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN B. HoUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at, Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to printing mechanism for operating on a roll or web .of paper to print in one or more colors thereon as it is drawn from the roll a label or other matter within determined lengths of the web and immediately thereafter drying the freshlyprinted matter to permit of the immediate handling of the same,

The printing, feeding, and drying mechanism embraced in this invention is designed with special reference to printing labels on wrappers each bearing one or more labels.

My invention embraces the printing of one or more labels in colors upon a continuous web of paper as it is fed over a bed or platen, the web to be subsequently severed into suitable lengths, and is specially designed for use in connection with a package-Wrappingl machine, to this end embracing drying devices to immediately dry the freshly-printed matter within the length, whereby the wrappers may be then immediately used in a connected or adjacent wrapping-machine without smirching the freshly-printed label.

Mechanism embodying my invention will be described in detail and the novel features set forth in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters and numerals of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts in each of the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the actuating draw-roll. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of Fig. 4, the table being shown in section. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the inking apparatus. Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 8 is a viewof the machine,

showing the inking-roller in position after having traversed the printing-face in one direction, the ink-supply mechanism being omitted. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

The operating elements or parts of my printing and drying machine may be mounted on any suitable support, that shown comprising legs A and top or table B. Secured at opposite sides of the table B at one end are standards C, provided at their upper ends with journal-boxes to receive the opposite ends of a roller l, which carries a roll or web D of paper to be operated on in the production of the finished article. Journaled in bearings carried by suitable brackets E at opposite ends of the table are draw-rolls 2 3, the upper roll 2 being reduced in diameter between its ends to prevent contact with the ink of the printed matter, which will be imprinted on the web of paper at a point between the roll or web of paper D and said draw-rolls or feed-rolls.

Adjacent to the standards O, carrying the roll of paper, short standards O are secured at opposite sides of the table, these being provided with bearings in which is journaled a guide and tension roll 4, between which and the table the paper is led in its course to the draw-rolls 2 and 3. The shaft of the upper one of these rolls 2 is extended at one end and provided with a spiral blade or worm 5 to engage a worm-wheel 6, keyed on the main shaft 7 of the machine, said roll 2 being provided with a longitudinal groove or channel 2a at one point in order to momentarily suspend the feed of the draw-rolls for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. During its passage from the guide-roll 4 to the drawrolls one or more labels are printed upon the web of paper in one or more colors simultaneously.

My invention contemplates printing in one or more colors; but as the printing mechanism for each color will be merely duplicates of the mechanism shown, the respective inkfonts being supplied with ink of the desired color, I have shown but four printing devices. Duplicates of these printing devices are in practice located successively between the guide-roll 4 and the draw-rolls 2 and 3 for each additional color.

It will be understood that Where one label only is to be printed on each wrapper length in two or more colors one of the plungers, forms, &c., in each group is dispensed with.

Secured to the table B between the guideroll 4 and draw-rolls 2 and 3 are columns F in pairs, each provided at the upper end with bearings, within which is ournaled a crank- IOO shaft G, united by an adjustable connectingrod g, with plungers 8 reciprocating vertically on guide-ribsf on the inner faces of the columns F. The under surfaces of the plungers 8 are each fitted to receive a chase H, carrying the type set for the matter desired to be displayed on the web of paper.

The columns F are adjustable longitudinally or lengthwise of lthe table, so as to be spaced for printing on wrappers of different ysizes and to secure. accurate registry. To accomplish this end, the opposite sides of the table are in the instan ce shown provided with T-grooves b to receive the headed ends of bolts 9, that pass upward through the slotted feet of the columns and are engaged by nuts 10, whereby the columns may be rigicly secured to the table or released and adjusted longitudir ally thereof. Horizortal guide grooves or ways 11 are formed on opposite sides of the several plui gers 8 (see Figs. 8 and 9) for a purpose to be presently l escribed.

Inking mechanism for the type is locate` at the side of the table B, abreast of eacl plunger 8, and comprises an ink well or tar k 12, rigidly secured to the columns F, an ir k distributing or supply roll 13 being ournalei. at the outer or discharge end thereof and supplying ink to a train of rolls 14 and 15, lthe latter distributing ink on the traveling inking-roll 16 for the form locked in the chase. The rolls 14 and 15 are intermittent intheir rotation, being carried on shafts ournaled in a rocking frame 17, pivoted at its upper corner to the ink-well 12'on a stud 18, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and actuated from the plunger 8 through connecting-rod 19, pivoted at one end to a bracket projecting from the plunger and at the other end to a geared segment 20, pivoted on a stud 21, projecting from the column F, its toothed segmental end meshing with a pinion 22, mounted on the end of the shaft of the ink-supply roll 13. The shaft of the roll 15 is extended at its ends and carries friction-wheels 23, arranged in frictional or driving contact with frictionwheels 24, mounted on a shaft 25, also journaled in the rocking frame 17, one of said friction-wheels being located for driving contact when the rocking frame 17 is in the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, with africtionwheel 26, keyed to a counter-shaft 27, journaled in bearings at one side of the main frame. This shaft 27 is connected by gears 28 29 to the main shaft 7 of the machine and actuated thereby.

The traveling inking-roll 16 is mounted on a shaft 30, secured at its ends between two L-shaped bars, the long legs 32 of which are provided with slots 33, engaging studs 34, projecting from the columns F, the short legs 35 of said angle-bars being provided at their upper ends with inwardly-extending studs 36, Which during certain portions of the movement of the plunger 8 enter and traverse the horizontal ways 11 at the base thereof. (See Figs. 8 and 9.)

A rock-shaft 37 is journaled near the upper end of the column F, to which is keyed the upper ends of arms 38, the lower ends of which are united by connecting-rods 39 to the shaft of the L-shaped slide-bars. Also keyed to this shaft 37 are geared segments 40, meshing with gear-wheels 41, keyed to a shaft jour- 'naled in bearings on the column F beneath cured to the column F and to be actuated thereby on its pivot as the plunger descends to force the bolt 47 back out of engagement with the rack-b ar. It is understood, of course, that the rack-bar, bolt, and latch are arranged on each side of the machine-that is, in duplicate. Beneath the inking-roll frame 17 a stout spring 17a is secured to the base of the column, its free end riding in contact with the shaft 25 the stress of said spring being exerted to move the frame 17 on its pivot 18 away from the column. As thus constructed it will be seen that the rotation of the crank-shaft (assuming that the parts are positioned as in Fig. 4) will move the plunger upward, and the link 19, pivoted thereto, will cause the movement round its pivot of the toothed segment 20, this in turn rotating the ink-supply roll 13, which will distribute ink to the rolls 14 and 15, and the latter will ink the traversing ink-roll 16. As the plunger ascends the bolts 47 are at the moment the fulcrum of the latch 48 passes the roll or stud 49 freed from control of the latch and forced by the spring into engagement with the recess 46 of the rack-bars, thus locking said rack-bars to the plunger. As the plunger continues to rise the rack-bars will rotate the pinions 42, thus causing the rotation of the gear-wheels 41 and the accompanying movement of the segments 40 meshingtherewith, which in turn imparts movement to the rock-shaft 37, arms 38, and connecting-rods 39.

Should for any reason the bolts 47 fail to engage the recesses of the racks during a traverse of the plunger, 1 have provided lugs 50 and 50, which at about the limit of the movement of the plunger will engage the one or the other of the lugs 45a of the rack-bar and cause its required movement, this causing the pins 36 of the L-shaped bars to enter the ways 11 of the plunger, and the further IOO IOS

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movement of the parts will cause the inkingroll to travel across the form of type locked in the chase, thus inking the type by a forward and back pass of the traveling inking-roll. As the bar 34 moves toward the plunger the rocking frame will be relieved from pressure at that side and the spring 17a will exert its force to move the lower end of said frame toward the plunger, thus severing driving connection between the friction-wheels 24 and 26.

' As the printed web leaves the printing mechanism, being drawn off by draw-rolls 2 and 3 at the end of the table B, the web passes beneath the roll 3 and back under the table above a steam-table 45 or other suitable heating apparatus to immediately dry the freshly-printed matter. The top or actuating roll 2 is, as stated, cut away or chambered at the center, as shown in Fig. 2, in order that it will not contact with the fresh ink and smear or blur the same as the web of paper carrying the printed matter passes between the rolls. The steam-table 45 is fitted withguide or supporting rolls 46 to sustain the web of paper in its passage above the same, these rolls also being reduced in diameter at the center to avoid contact with the freshly-printed matter.

To insure against smirching or blurring an impression, dueto the travel of the web of vpaper, I have provided the draw-roll 2 with a ongitudinal groove 2a to insure a momentary cessation of the feed of the web of paper at the instant of making the impression, this being readily accomplished, since the plungers and draw-rolls are actuated directly by the main shaft.

As shown herein, the crank shaft G is driven from the main shaft 7 by gearing 3 but it will be understood that said crank-shaft may form a part of the main shaft of the machine, the parts being arranged as shown merely for convenience and economy of manufacture; also instead ofproviding the longitudinal groove 2a to cause a momentary cessation of the feed of the web that the spiral blade or worm 5 may be so constructed as not to operate at certain periods, and thus accomplish the same end.

It is understood, of course, that the first pair of plungers are to print within a given length of the web of paper two labels or other matter in one color and that the neXt pair of plungers are to print another color upon these labels as the web is fed along beneath them, and so on, according to the number of colors to be printed. As the columns F are adjustable longitudinally of the table, it follows that the second and succeeding pair of plungers and their accessories can be adjusted with relation to each other to accurately deposit the desired colo"r upon the partlyprinted labels with perfect registry, and of course a like end is attained in a machine designed to print but one label in colors upon a given length of the web of paper.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the supporting-table having paper-roll supports at one end and draw-rolls at the other end, a plurality of reciprocating plungers carrying type-forms arranged in alinement between the roll-supports and draw-rolls, inking mechanism for each plunger, a main shaft having a Worm and gear wheel, parallel shafts geared directly to the main shaft and directly actuating respectively the plungers and inking devices; the actuating -roll of the draw -rolls having a worm-wheel meshing with the worm of the main shaft.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a supporting table having roll-supporting devices at one end and drawrolls at the other end, printing mechanism located intermediate the rollsupport and ,draw-rolls, and means beneath the table for drying the freshly-printed article after it leaves the draw-rolls.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided at their lower ends with guide-grooves, an inkwell and distributing-rolls carried by the several columns, a traveling ink-roll the frame of which is provided with studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, and means for actuating said traveling ink-roll.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts, an ink-well and distributing-rolls, a traveling ink-roll, and means for actuating said traveling ink-roll from the plunger.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts, an ink-well and supply-roll, a traveling ink-roll, and means for actuating said traveling ink-roll and supply-roll from the plunger.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns` arranged in pairs, crank shafts ournaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided at their lower ends with guide-grooves, an inkwell and distributing-rolls carried by the several columns, a traveling ink-roll the frame of which is provided with studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, and means for actuating said traveling ink-roll from the plunger.

7 In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank shafts journaled therein, plun- IOO gers actuated by said shafts and provided at their lower ends with guide-grooves, an ink Well and distributing-rolls carried by the several columins, a traveling ink-roll the 'frame of which is provided with studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, a rockshaft journaled on'the column and carrying geared segments and arms, a shaft liournaled beneath the rock-shaft carrying gear-Wheels and pinions, rack-bars sliding in Ways on the column yand means carried by the plunger to actuate the rack-bar.

8. In a machine ofthe character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank-shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided at their lower ends with guide-grooves, an ink- Well and distributing-rolls carried by each of the several columns, a traveling ink-roll the frame of Which is provided with studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, a rock-shaft journaled on the column and carrying geared segments and arms, a shaft journaled beneath the rock-shaft carrying gear-Wheels and pinions, rack-bars sliding in Ways on the columns7 a spring-pressed bolt carried by the plunger to engage the rackbars, a latch pivoted to the plunger and to the bolt, and a iiXed stud supported by the column to engage the latch.

9. In a machine of the. character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank-shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided with guide-grooves, a traveling ink-roll the frame of Which is provided with studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, an

ink-well and supply-roll carried by each of the several columns and means for actuating said roll from the plungers.

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank-shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided With guide-grooves,/a traveling inkroll the frame of which is provided With studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, an ink-Well and supply-roll carried by each of the several columns, means for actuating said roll from the plungers, a pivoted frame carrying distributingrolls, and means for actuating the frame on its pivot.

11. In a machine of the character described, in combination, the columns arranged in pairs, crank-shafts journaled therein, plungers actuated by said shafts and provided with guide-grooves, a traveling inkroll the frame of which is provided With studs adapted to traverse the grooves of the plunger, an ink-Well and supplyeroll carried by each of the several columns, means for actuating said roll from the plungers, a friction- Wheel actuated from the main shaft, a pivoted frame carrying distributing-rolls one of Which has an extended shaft provided with a friction-Wheel, and a spring to actuate the frame on its pivot.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

BENJAMIN B. HOUGH.

Witnesses:

HENRY N'. WEssEL, KATHERINE CAsNER. 

